Doll - "Rachel" c. 1941

Hal Blakeley made this watercolor of "Rachel" sometime during his lifetime, which stretched from the mid-19th to the late 20th century. The warm, fleshy tones of the doll's dress are laid down in thin washes, almost like a memory of color. Up close, you can see how the texture of the paper comes through, adding a subtle roughness to the image. The paint isn't trying to hide anything; it's just there, doing its job of describing light and shadow. Notice that repeating spiral motif along the hem of the dress - it's like a little dance, a rhythmic echo that keeps your eye moving. I like the way it contrasts with the smoother, more controlled areas of the painting. Blakeley's focus on the everyday, and his somewhat naive style, reminds me a bit of some folk art traditions. There's a directness and honesty here that I find really appealing, and it makes me think about how art can be found in the simplest of subjects.